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A couples weekend away in the southern Lake District

Published: Wednesday 11th Mar 2020

Written by: Alex Barton

The Lake District is quite simply the ultimate weekend away for couples. Breathtaking views, a variety of activities for two, gorgeous food and huge choice of cute cosy cottages to cuddle up in at the end of a long day spending quality time together…

If you like the idea of spending a weekend away with your favourite person in a UNESCO World Heritage Site National Park, then let’s see how your weekend will unfold from the moment you arrive.

Day One: Exploring England’s largest lake and the shoreline towns

If you haven’t booked one of our cosy cottages for two before, you’re in for a fantastic time! With so much to see and do in and around Windermere, we’re in for an action-packed experience exploring this bustling part of the Lake District. First of all, we’ll need a good breakfast and for that we’re heading to Homeground in Windermere. A true favourite of visitors and locals alike. Serving a delicious menu of locally sourced food ranging from Eggs Benedict with Chorizo to Fried Chicken & Waffles! You will fall in love with this place, their food and their fantastic coffee! There is also a great choice of veggie and vegan options too!

One of the many delicious dishes available at Homeground, Windermere!

From here we’re going to walk down into Bowness, a short 20-minute walk or a quick 5-minute bus ride down Lake Road where you’ll arrive at Windermere’s bustling shorefront! Bowness is full of restaurants, shopping, cafes and things to do so spend time exploring the town and taking it all in before heading over to Windermere Canoe & Kayak for your first experience of the lakes! Choose between a tandem kayak for two or hire a paddleboard each and enjoy an hour or 3 exploring England’s largest Lake. Being out on the water is such a fun experience and you’ll take in some fantastic views along the way.

If you’d like to hang around Bowness a little longer, continue exploring the lakeside town and everything it has to offer. Otherwise it’s time to head back into Windermere and get ready for the evening. Once back at your cottage, you can either rustle up a feast for two or head out on the town. If you do decide to stay in, there is a Booths supermarket in Windermere which provides the area with beautiful food sourced from local farmers and producers, it is top quality produce! Otherwise, Windermere & Bowness will spoil you for choice in places to dine out including The Pig, BAHA and Café Riva just to name a few!

Day Two: Time to discover the Kentmere Valley via bike!

After a restful night’s sleep in your Good Life Lake District Cottage for two, it’s time to get ready for some cycling! Prepare yourself a picnic or packed lunch because there are no pubs where we’ll be heading today. Catch the bus 5 minutes down the road into the village of Staveley and head to Wheelbase, the UK’s largest cycle store! Be sure to bring your Good Life booking confirmation email (Phone or print out is fine) because as one of our guests, you’ll receive 10% off cycle hire here! Choose from a mountain bike or E-Bike and head up into the Kentmere Valley.

Kentmere is one the most isolated valleys in the entire National Park and as a result, its not uncommon to have the entire place to you and your partner. We’re aiming to cycle to the Kentmere Reservoir, a body of water that lies at the head of the valley. You’ll become surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks, craggy cliffs and slopes. This area is really beautiful and makes the perfect stop for that picnic we packed earlier! Head back into Staveley where you can explore the Mill Yard where you hired your bikes from which also houses the Hawkshead Brewery, More The Artisan Bakery and Wilfs Café. There is a family butchers in Staveley too so don’t forget to pick something up for dinner before you catch the bus back into Windermere. You’ll need something big and hearty after a days cycling!

Day Three: One more day of Lake District fun…

As your third and final day dawns, enjoy a lie in and take your time. Our final day is going to be slow and relaxed! Make yourself a lovely breakfast or head back into town to one of the cafés for something to eat to start your day off the right way.

You have two choices of how you’d like to spend your final day;

1 – Golfing

2 – Take a lake cruise up to Ambleside or Newby Bridge

If either of you are a fan of golf, then you have to make time for a round of golf at one of only two golf courses in the Lake District – Windermere Golf Club. Good Life Customers will receive 20% OFF standard green fees when you show your booking confirmation email at the front desk. Boasting stunning views from the course, you can take a day leisurely playing a round of golf.

If golf isn’t your swing, then head back down into Bowness and enjoy a cruise with Windermere Lake Cruises. They sail to a number of destinations along the lake Including Newby Bridge & Lakeside where you’ll find an aquarium and motor museum. Head to waterhead for a taste of Ambleside and the central Lake District or stop off at Wray Castle, a National Trust site with grounds to explore and things to do. Whatever takes your fancy!

Once you’ve spent your final day exploring, be sure to make time for the short walk up to the top of Orrest Head, which starts just across the road from the Windermere Tourist Information Centre. A gentle winding path that steadily climbs up the fell. Orrest Head is probably the best views for the effort you put in anywhere in the Lake District and was the first walk the famous Alfred Wainwright embarked upon. The views at the top will be a great way to sign off your final day, sitting on one of the benches and breathing in the views with your loved one…

Does all this sound like a bit of you? Then check out all of our cottages for two across the Lake District National Park!

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Good Life Lake District Cottages is a trading name of The Original Cottage Company Limited, which is a family-owned private limited company incorporated in England (registered number 06951692). Registered address at Bank House, Market Place, Reepham, Norwich, NR10 4JJ. VAT No. 595 2110 44.